MEASURING YOUR BABY'S TEMPERATURE

During the first few days, you measure your child's temperature with every change. Do this with a digital thermometer (preferably a new one) in your baby's anus. Make sure the thermometer is deep enough. The entire metal piece must be in the anus (at least 2-3 cm.) In the diagram below you can see what you have to do with the different values.

LESS THAN 36.0° CELSIUS

Check whether the thermometer was deep enough. If not, measure again. If it is indeed lower than 36.0, call your midwife.

BETWEEN 36.0° - 36.5° CELSIUS

Put a hat on your baby, dress him warmly and put him in his cot with one or two hot water bottles. Make sure the bottle cap is facing down and place a rolled cloth between the baby and the bottle. Then measure the temperature again after an hour. If it hasn't risen, call us.

BETWEEN 36.5° – 37.5° CELSIUS

This is a good temperature. You do not have to do anything.

BETWEEN 37.5° – 38.0° CELSIUS

Take off the hat, put your baby over the blankets or dress him a bit cooler. Then measure the temperature again after an hour. If it stays too high, call us.

HIGHER THAN 38.0° CELSIUS

In this case, call your midwife.